Al-Aqsa Preacher Indicted for Praising Terrorist Three Years After Attack

Jerusalem prosecutors have filed an indictment against a 52-year-old preacher from East Jerusalem who delivered a sermon at the Al-Aqsa Mosque praising the terrorist who carried out a deadly attack on the Israeli-Egyptian border in June 2023. The indictment, filed on Sunday, charges the preacher with incitement to terrorism.

During a Friday prayer sermon attended by dozens of worshippers on the Temple Mount, the preacher reportedly lauded Mohammed Salah, the perpetrator of the June 2023 shooting attack that killed IDF soldiers Yehuda Ben Nun, Ori Isaac Iloz, and Ohad Dahan. The preacher allegedly stated, "Look at the celebrations around the world. You reminded us, oh Mohammed the Egyptian, of Qutuz who united the armies and liberated the Levant, liberated Al-Aqsa Mosque."

He further called on Egyptian soldiers to act for the release of prisoners and Al-Aqsa, imploring, "Oh soldiers of Egypt, we are waiting for you to release all the prisoners and Al-Aqsa." In his closing remarks, he prayed, "Oh God, grant us your favor very soon through the Egyptian army that will liberate the country and the people from the desecration of the occupying criminals."

Additionally, the indictment states the preacher criticized the Palestinian Authority during his sermon, urging them not to aid the enemy against their nation and to take a stand of honor as the "heroic soldier" had. This indictment comes three years after the border attack.